Rhiannon Hart

From an early age, Zeraphina has always known she’s different, the most visible differences being her dark hair and light colored eyes that contrast sharply with the fair coloring of her mother and sister. But even more disconcerting is her craving for blood and the strange visions of a land she’s never visited, both of which fill her with longing and cause her physical pain. She struggles to hide her horrifying urges, suffering her terrifying, painful secret alone.


Their kingdom on the show more brink of financial ruin, Zeraphina’s mother, Queen Renata of Amentia, promises Zera’s elder sister, Lilith, in marriage to Prince Amis of Pergamia — the kingdom to the north that borders the sea. Expected to accompany her sister northward for the finalization of the agreements and the resulting marriage ceremony, Zera finds that the monstrous, unidentifiable side of her is thrilled at the prospect of journeying north. In the hope of finding answers to the strange affliction that plagues her, she decides to do some research of her own before they depart for the wedding. Locating an old map in her family’s library, she is surprised to discover that there is indeed a country even further north than Pergamia — a country across the sea called Lharmell — of which she finds no other record save for the map and a vague, off-hand statement that claims Pergamia is at war with the Lharmellins. Driven by a force she doesn’t understand, Zera determines she must find out more about this mysterious Lharmell in the one place that must be well-informed on the subject – Prince Amis’s court.


However upon arriving in the northern kingdom, she finds that information on Lharmell is hard to come by, people are reticent to talk about it, and her inquiries only succeed in arousing the suspicions of the king’s advisor, the handsome Rodden Lothskorn — a man whom Zeraphina suspects knows more about her condition than he’s willing to reveal. As the blood lust and the compulsions grow stronger and as her sister’s wedding nears, Zera knows she must find her answers and soon.


Zeraphina as the heroine and narrator is fantastic. She is a very real character with very real faults, but one who also has many redeeming qualities. In her search for the truth behind who – and possibly what – she is, Zera is prone to rash, impulsive, insatiably curious behavior. She also tends to make some questionable decisions in the heat of the moment and often displays a quick temper, particularly around Rodden. And I love her for those character traits. They make her interesting and genuine. She’s also extremely brave, thick-skinned, intelligent with a will of iron. Though she does have a good sense of discretion and decorum, she calls things as she sees them. As a narrator, she has a wonderful dry, slightly sarcastic tone that’s just delightful.


It’s interesting to watch Zera come to grips with certain truths about herself throughout the book. She is understandably confused by the things in herself that she doesn’t understand. She is frightened by who and what she might become, and so when it becomes clear to her that Rodden may know something about why she is the way she is, she relentlessly pursues the answers she so desperately needs. However, whether she acts through subterfuge or directly, she finds Rodden, refusing to give any ground in their contest of wills, blocking her way to the truth time and time again. Which of course provides for some interesting relationship development between the two of them.


Rodden. I love Rodden. Though much can be ascertained about his character and integrity through his words, actions and manner, Rodden himself is a mysterious character. Little is known of his back story and personal history, and yet I found that these details – while really wanting to know them – ultimately don’t matter as much as knowing the kind of person he is. Where Zera can be impulsive and a bit reckless, Rodden is more of the calculating, cunning, three-steps-ahead type. He’s pragmatic, suspicious, doesn’t grant trust easily and perhaps is a bit cynical. However, he can also be unexpectedly kind, humorous, and oddly thoughtful which throws Zera for a loop now and again.


If apart they are wonderful characters, then together they are fantastic. As Zeraphina and Rodden repeatedly clash, these encounters – Zera trying to gain ground and Rodden being her ever-present roadblock – quickly became my favorite parts of the book. At twenty-two, Rodden has a bit more life experience and maturity on Zera’s sixteen years, but despite a few missteps Zeraphina displays a determination and presence of mind that gives Rodden a run for his money. They are both pretty equally matched sparring partners and I loved watching their strange, relationship grow and evolve throughout the story.


Zeraphina’s world fits well into the realm of the fantastic. While Hart doesn’t go into a lot of extreme detail in the world building of land of Brivora and all its kingdoms, she gives the reader enough information that it feels like a complete universe, and one I hope will be expanded in the next book. I was particularly impressed by the originality and creativity behind Lharmell and its inhabitants. I’m not going to go into detail as it’s more fun for you to discover these things on your own, Dear Reader, but I love what Hart did with the subject of Zeraphina’s investigations and the revelations behind the mystery.


Overall, from the highly addictive tension that Hart weaves between Zeraphina and Rodden to the wonderful originality behind the world and the mystery, Blood Song is a captivating and deliciously dark mix of romance and fantasy. show less

My friend left this with me when she moved. I honestly though it was going to be a poorly written, semi boring read.

I was pleasantly surprised to find it was pretty decent, an entertaining and breezy read. It was just the right amount of mystery and straight up telling me the story.

It was refreshing to read something that had a hint of a romance and forbidden interests. (We all know that was going to be there!) However I liked that the story didn't entirely revolve around the romance. We show more still got to hear about what was going on in Zeraphina's life and what else was happening around her.

An enjoyable read and was addictive enough that I bought the 2nd and 3rd books while only being a quarter of the way through Blood Song. show less

Blood Song first came to my attention after finding out it was written by an Australian author. (If you don't already know, I love to read Australian YA!) I became even more curious after reading some great reviews. Fantasy seems to be one of the genres that I tend to pay less attention to. I'm not sure why. I have read some young-adult fantasy that I really love and are some of my favorite books. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to read Blood Song because I'm finally able to add show more another YA fantasy and Aussie novel to my favorites!

For the past few years, sixteen-year-old Zeraphina has had a strange craving for blood. Although she has never tried any, there are times where she can't stop thinking about it. What's worse is that she has felt an urge, a pull to go North. She practices archery to keep herself distracted, but it's in the back of her mind all the time and every day these urges and cravings seem to slowly intensify, causing her immense pain. She finds relief when her older sister becomes engaged to a prince from Pergamia, a northern country of Brivora. By accompanying her sister to Pergamia, Zeraphina has a chance to figure out why she's drawn northwards and why she hungers for blood. But the answers she desperately wants and eventually finds end up making her life much more complicated than before.

As soon as I read the first chapter, I knew I was going to love Blood Song. Zeraphina and her sister Lilith and mother Renata were making me laugh with some of the things they said. I love when a book gets me to laugh! I didn't even know there would be a bit of humor, so it was a nice surprise. (Other readers might not find it quite as hilarious I did, but oh well, maybe it's just the kind of humor I like.) What I loved about it is that it showed how close they were as a family. It was so great to read about two sisters actually getting along. There was no rivalry between Zeraphina and Lilith, and while Renata is just a little overbearing, it's obvious she cares deeply for her daughters and only wants the best for them.

"I knew what you were the minute I saw you [...] and you seemed so fierece, so...human, that it gave me hope."

That is part of one of my favorite quotes in the book. I couldn't include the entire quote and the next line because it might be a bit spoiler-y. But I can say that is was Rodden Lothskorn speaking to Zeraphina. Rodden is the 22-year-old advisor of the Pergamian king. He's mysterious and intriguing but also arrogant and infuriating. From the moment Zeraphina meets him, they can't seem to get along. Zeraphina is clever and pretty sarcastic and she can hold her own, so her clashing with someone like Rodden wasn't surprising. Their bickering kept me laughing, and I loved it.

Zeraphina doesn't know if Rodden can be trusted and he seems to feel the same way about her. I can understand Zeraphina's frustration, since Rodden is part of the reason why her life gets even more complicated. He hints at having the answers she wants but avoids giving them to her...until she starts figuring him out. I'm very happy it didn't take the entire book to get some answers. There is still a bit of mystery from Rodden, though, because he never goes into detail about his past. I really look forward to knowing more about him in the next book, and hopefully there will be more moments between him and Zeraphina because their connection was something that I really loved about the book.

I recommend Blood Song to Kristin Cashore fans and fans of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. And if you're not a huge fantasy fan, you should still give this book a read! It's hard not to get sucked into the story from the very beginning. There's enough suspense and action, and the world in Blood Song is beautiful but not overwhelming. Plus, who doesn't like awesome and kickass characters? Blood Song is the first book in a trilogy, and I'm already anxious and excited for the second book. So, if you get the chance, be sure to read it! show less

Zeraphina is no ordinary princess. Infected as a baby she has spent her life resisting who she was, partly because she had no idea what she was, but now she knows the truth and has accepted she is different. But that doesn't mean she is happy about it, nor will it stop her from killing everyone of her kind, all but Rodden that is. He is the only other person in the world like her, the only person who understands her; however she still does not understand him.

As a princess Zeraphina has show more curtain responsibilities and expectations she must live up to, such as marrying a prince as her mother constantly reminds her. But as a harming she is dangerous. More then just her need to consume blood and her slaying of the Lharmell leader, Zeraphina is determined to see an end to this despicable race and to save as many innocents from facing a fate such as hers, or worse. However the only way to fight this enemy is to runaway.

While the rest of the world believes that a princess has runaway to be with her lover, there are a few who know or even believe the truth. That she has left on a mission of great importance that will culminate in the death of many, whether that be innocent lives or that of the enemy that is yet to be determined. The only thing she knows for sure is that this is her fight and even if it means her own death she must see it through to its end. On a life and death mission someone is not going to survive.

Blood Storm rains trouble from all sides as a Princess is caught up in courtly politics while a girl in love struggles to maintain her feeling in a dangerous mission that takes her across land, sea and sky with the man she loves, if only he felt the same for her. An exciting and eventful adventure that delves deeper into this strange world and its unique inhabitants. A story of love, blood and death that answers many questions but still leaves you wanting more. show less